What Actually Stops an Elevator From Falling?

Elevators move millions of people every day, but what actually keeps one from falling if something goes wrong? In this episode of Oddly Engineered, we break down the systems hiding behind the walls: the counterweight, the overspeed governor, the safety linkage, and the mechanical brakes that can grip the guide rails. It’s a surprisingly elegant system built around one idea: if the elevator starts moving too fast, the safety system reacts mechanically.